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Four Wood Plank Tile Trends from Coverings 2014

Jun 26th 2014

I'm a huge fan of wood plank tile (see Faux Wood Tile Sophistication). For that reason, I'm doubly excited to share with you this next installment in tile trends from Coverings 2014 about wood plank tile trends.

This is the fifth article in the series about tile trends from Coverings 2014 which took place April 29 through May 2, 2014 in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

If you haven't had a chance to read about the other trends we noticed, simply click on these links! I started the series with Patchwork Tile, then Hexagon Tile Trends, 9 Glass Mosaic Tile Trends, Thin Tiles for Floors and Walls and now we are going to explore wood plank tile...

The Wood Plank Tile Trend

Wood plank tile continues as an important trend in tile. Here is how Coverings details the evolution of the trend in Coverings 2014 Exhibitors Wow Attendees With Innovative, Show-Stopping Tile Trends:

"While the wood-inspired look for porcelain and ceramic tiles has been popular for more than a decade, new technology has enhanced this trend to the next generation. Numerous exhibitors showcased wood looks with intricate graining detail similar to hand carved, rustic and distressed planks. Lea Ceramiche partnered with Diego Grandi to introduce Type 32, a series of ultra thin, plank tiles that feature four different graphics inspired by French Herringbone floors, which overlap a variety of colors creating 32 unique offerings. Metropol introduced Fossil, aged plank tiles in beige, white and grey colors that reveal the earthiness of worn wood, yet create a sophisticated environment. Florim unveiled a number of wood looks including the colorfully striking Charleston series, an ode to the warm and rustic appeal of the South, composed of distressed, faded tiles that come in small planks and are installed at random. Illuminating the category was Foss-Co., which unveiled its Forest Inspired Collection of glass and veneer custom tiles that can be backlit to create a bright, amber-colored display. "

While at Coverings, we noticed four trends which I detail below.

1. Wood Plank Tile Trends: Longer Formats

When the wood plank tile was introduced in a standard 6x24 format, we all thought that 24" was long. The image above features Vivaldi Winter 6x24 wood planks which, along with the Vivaldi Spring 6x24, are available at all Tile Outlets of America store locations.

However, longer tiles are becoming more popular and in lengths commonly found in natural wood. So don't be surprised to find these wood tile planks in 30" and as long as 48". The amazing thing is when you see these laid down on the floor you can't imagine them being this long. They just look right.

Wood tile planks in longer formats are available in both ceramic and porcelain tile.

Sauco Wood Tile Plank - 9.5" x 37.5"

The Sauco wood plank tile shown above is a ceramic offered in 9.5" x 37.5" from Spain. Tile Outlets is bringing in two of the colors in this wood plank tile series to provide you with a ceramic look in a longer format. By the way, this plank is not only longer, but also wider (more on that below),

Bosco - 8x34

The Bosco series is an 8x32 porcelain tile offered from Spain and also provides the unique wood plank tile look in a longer and wider plank.

The following series was featured from Italy called Liberty. This is the Liberty Grigio series that comes in an 8x32 format and in 4 beautiful colors to complement any home.

2. Wood Plank Tile Trends: Wider Formats

As the tile planks are getting longer, they are also getting wider with widths ranging from 3" to 9" wide to create a more natural wood plank looking floor.

This image below features a product called Florida Beach from the Charleston series; it's in a 3" x 36" wood tile plank and has the natural weathered look of beach-worn wood. This tile makes me feel like kicking off my shoes, sitting back with a book and listening to the sound of the water from the ocean.

Who says that tile can't be fun and innovative. With the inkjet technology available today the looks are endless. So the future tile possibilities are exciting for the design and home market!

3. Wood Plank Tiles in Multiple Size Patterns

Yes, multiple wood plank tile pattern sizes! This is a look that will be stunning to see on the floor and I am sure you are going to want to put your hand on it to make sure it is not real wood.

Biowood Plank Modular Series - 8x36,5x36 & 3x36

The item shown above is the Bio Wood series. What makes this product so unique is that each box comes with three different sizes! The pattern consists of 8x36, 5x36 and 3x36 all in the same box. You are used to seeing this done with stone and tile, but a wood plank in three sizes is going to stand out in a room.

Be sure to check back in the Tile Outlets of America inspiration area in late August to see the series displayed.

4. Barn Wood Tile Planks

This country girl never gets tired of the old barn look. If you've grown up in cow country, you get to appreciate the old barn look. And, yes, these tiles were made to look old.

The two items pictured below are available at Tile Outlets of America right now. This is the Castle series and comes in a 6x24 ceramic wood tile plank in these two colors.

Castle Cenere - 6x24

Castle Cocoa 6x24

Other Perspectives on Wood Plank Tile Trends

I wasn't the only one to pick up on the richness of wood plank tile trends at Coverings. Here's a recap:

"Wood-look tiles were still a strong trend at the show, but the printing processes have gotten so sophisticated that it’s becoming harder and harder to tell the difference between tree and tile with the best offerings. The top ones at Coverings were either very textured and rustic or ultra-glossy, like a formal dining room floor."

Thank you for exploring Wood Tile Planks with me. I'm looking forward to wrapping up this series with patio tile trends just in time for summer launch.

As always, I'd love to hear your reactions to these tile trends!

Kate